Newcastle United are in talks with Genoa over a loan exit for left-back Achraf Lazaar with manager Rafa Benitez expected to green light the deal, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Italian sports newspaper report that the Morocco international flyer has already told the Serie A side he would be keen on a move as they look to replace the outgoing Diego Laxalt, who is set to join AC Milan.
La Gazzetta claim that Genoa are seeking a contribution from the Magpies towards Lazaar’s £17,000-a-week wages, with the two parties in discussions over an agreement.
It is said that Benitez is expected to give the all clear for Lazaar to leave.
OPINION
It was previously reported on Wednesday that Genoa had identified Lazaar as a potential replacement for Laxalt, who looks to have earned a move to Milan on the back of his impressive World Cup performances for Uruguay. A loan exit for the Morocco international looks to be a good move for all parties, although Newcastle will be looking to offload as much of his wage packet as possible. Lazaar has been an outcast on Tyneside for too long now, and there is little point keeping him around, even amid worries over the squad’s lack of depth at full-back. As reported, there is little reason why Benitez would stop this deal going through, and once a wage agreement is reached, expect this one to go through quickly. Newcastle will be hoping that Lazaar finds some form in Italy, where he has played a lot before, and they can then cash in on him next summer.
